Poll

Extension

Did you know that 91 percent of children are aware of parent stress? Although there are a lot of fun things to do this time of year, it can also be very stressful. Along with the holidays comes stress related to spending, entertaining, travel and changes in routine. Follow some of these tips to help reduce the stress that your family may feel:

The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy, but for some older adults, especially those living alone or in long-term care, holidays can be met with stress, confusion and feelings of sadness and loneliness, often intensified because holidays can be further reminders of the loss of loved ones, health and even independence. During this time of year, older adults can become isolated from their friends, family and community, leading to an increased risk of depression. There are several ways to make the holidays brighter and more tolerable, however.

Ovarian cancer is often considered a silent killer, because many times, women do not know they have it until it is too late. Ovarian cancer accounts for 3 percent of all cancers diagnosed in women and is the deadliest gynecological cancer. This year, The American Cancer Society estimates that doctors will diagnose more than 22,000 cases of ovarian cancer in the United States and 15,500 American women will die of the disease.

Caregiving can be stressful, and these stresses can be exacerbated around the holidays as you are faced with added responsibilities and obligations.

Whether this is your first holiday season as a caregiver or you have been providing care for years, you can do several things to make the holidays easier on you, the person you’re caring for and your extended family and friends by following the recommendations below.

Dry weather conditions this past summer may lead to lower soil pH and potassium levels in fall soil samples according to Frank Sikora, UK Extension Soil Testing Coordinator. Measuring the accurate levels of pH and potassium in soil after harvest will provide the proper amount of potassium fertilizer and lime needed in the spring to supplement the soil’s nutrients to provide suitable growing conditions.

The holiday season can bring financial stress that burdens your spirit. From purchasing gifts to traveling to planning an elaborate holiday meal, extra expenses make it hard on families this time of the year. Many families skip holiday traditions to avoid overspending. Skipping the big Thanksgiving or Christmas meal may not be the answer to pinching pennies; choosing to eat a nutritious meal can help you avoid the extra spending and extra calories.

The best way Kentuckians can help victims of Hurricane Sandy that walloped the East Coast this week, is by donating cash. Cash can be used directly to meet specific needs in the flooded areas.

Donations such as clothing and household items can become difficult for disaster responders to handle and might not be needed in some areas. In fact, many responders and recovery experts often call donations of clothing, the second disaster.

Most of us have experienced distractions of one sort or another while driving, but did you know the consequences you might face if your distractions cause an accident? In Kentucky, all drivers are now prohibited by law from texting while driving. The law was signed in 2010. In 2011, 176 people were killed in distracted driver-related accidents in the state.